Review Details

DarienLight Jacket

Product Review (submitted on October 6, 2010):

I spent 14,000 miles this summer wrapped in Darien Light jacket and pants, and after that experience I won't ride any multi-day trip without them. The only thing not waterproof on the jacket is the neck and arm holes, and there's plenty of wind protection with everything zipped up tight. My total upper body comfort was the Darien Light and a Kanetsu electric vest. This combination should take care of any combination of cold and wet you can still mange to pilot a bike through.
In hot weather, the single layer Gore-Tex material of the Darien is key. All these jackets with an internal liner, even if it's mesh nylon, only serve to trap air and increase the heat level. Open up the vents, the arms and neck of the Darien jacket, and you'll be as cool as you can get while still wearing a protective outfit.
Two months of riding convinced me. This is my favorite gear.